A common question poised to those of us who reenact the 18th Century — “Is it true that they never bathed?” It’s unfair to assume that just because hygiene standards were different in the 18th Century, people didn’t care about cleanliness. People DID bathe in the 18th Century. There is a widespread assumption that before …
Author Archives: Michael Carver
Historical Tidbits — First Parachute Descent
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. On October 22, 1797, French balloonist André Garnerin, made the first safe descent with a silk parachute from a balloon André-Jacques Garnerin was ballooning pioneer of great regard and …
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Man does Not Live on Beer Alone — Punch
Okay, so “Punch” has been around much longer than the 18th Century. In fact, the idea of punch is, well, old, really old. The word can be traced back to the 15th Century and it’s all tied to the reason sailors wanted a shorter route to Asia – Nutmeg. At its peak, nutmeg bought at …
Historical Tidbits — Attack on Red Bank
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. October 22, 1777 Attack on Red Bank In late fall of 1776 James Whithall is approached by delegates of the Continental Congress with a request to erect a Fort …
Historical Tidbits — First Parachute Descent
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. On October 22, 1797, French balloonist André Garnerin, made the first safe descent with a silk parachute from a balloon André-Jacques Garnerin was ballooning pioneer of great regard and …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — First Parachute Descent”
The black naturalist, astronomer, surveyor, and almanac-writer Benjamin Banneker took issue with Thomas Jefferson’s attitude toward free black men.
Benjamin Banneker was born free in 1731 in Baltimore County, Maryland. He was gifted in the sciences and became a naturalist and almanac-maker. Banneker lived near the Ellicott family gristmills, and Andrew Ellicott’s cousin had encouraged Banneker’s talent for computing. These talents ultimately led to his being a critical part of the team that did …
Historical Tidbits — USS Constitution launched
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. October 21, 1797 – “Huzzah, her sides are made of iron!” — USS Constitution launched October 21, 1797 in Boston When the United States won independence from Britain, the …
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Let’s talk about Tankards and Steins
The word stein is a shortened form of Steinzeugkrug, which literally means a stoneware jug or tankard. By common usage, however, stein has come to mean any beer container regardless of its material or size. The English will call these tankards. Both vessels come with and without lids, handles, or ornamentation. The tankard or beer …
Hayim Solomon’s personal reward for his services to the Continental Army
On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States. In 1775, the First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two …
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Let’s Talk about Punch Bowls
Most of us grew up associating Punch Bowls with a huge, overly ornate bowl, often bucket sized, that our parents or grandparents kept on a sideboard and only used for fancy parties. In the 18th Century, that punchbowl would have seen much more use. According to legend, punch was introduced to England in the early-to mid-17th century …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 